Legislative attacks on public school system are deplorable

To the editor:

I find the legislative attacks on our public school system deplorable. Under the false banners of “failing schools” and “school choice,” these American Legislative Exchange Council-fueled legislators are attempting to throw out separation of church and state, use state funds for private and religious schools and make it harder for teachers to get tenure.

In addition, they now want to force teachers out of their own health insurance pool and into the state plan, which will result in higher deductibles and co-pays and drastically reduced coverage.

Our Southcentral schools are doing very well and already provide options for parents and students. Our graduates go on to trades, college and graduate schools well equipped for the tasks before them. One of the keys to this success is attracting highly qualified teachers from here and Outside, and all of these “education” bills in Juneau will make it harder to recruit the best and brightest teacher candidates.

With the defined benefit State Teacher’s Retirement scrapped several years ago, and now proposed cuts to health insurance and making it harder to obtain tenure, why would any top-notch educator want to teach here when salaries, benefits and support are better elsewhere? I encourage all Alaskans to stand up for our public schools and our quality teaching staff and say “no” to these attempts at vouchers, privatization and attacks on teachers.

Dan Heynen

Palmer

House Bill 77 — the bill from nowhere

To the editor:

We love to fish, and we put out lines when we choose. Those of us who aren’t so capable like to eat delicious and amazing Alaska fish when we are ready. We enjoy the freedom to make our own decisions, whether it’s eating the skin or enjoying moose meat medium rare.

Well, be aware that House Bill 77 would take away our decision-making powers regarding our natural resources. Get this: not one legislator is sponsoring HB 77 — understandable considering that the bill is designed to reduce the role citizens (i.e. constituents) can play in deciding how our shared resources on public lands are managed and used.

What kind of politician would want to pass a bill that undermines the people’s voice? This bill, against which many Alaskans have already testified during hearings, is the governor trying to move forward with his, and only his, agenda.

Like I mentioned, there is no actual sponsor. HB 77 is officially “rules by request of the governor.” People, please call your senators and demand that they vote against this bill. And to all you legislators up in Juneau — for God’s sake, don’t let this bill go any farther!

Kimbrough Mauney

Wasilla